Sporting Events
Whether you’re an avid competitor or an armchair quarterback, the La Crosse area is packed with action just for you. The opportunities for outdoor recreational activities like hiking, climbing, biking, and paddling are plentiful, but for those who enjoy the excitement and energy of crowds and competition, a full calendar of organized sporting events awaits. Winter, spring, summer, or fall; team sports or individual; ages 3 to 83–there’s always something going on. Visit our Sports & Recreation Calendar for a complete list of upcoming events.
Alpine Ski Racing at Mt. La Crosse
Catch the thrill of downhill ski racing all winter long at Mount La Crosse, one of the Midwest’s premier skiing destinations. With youth racing programs starting for ages 5 and up, as well as high school, USSA, NASTAR, and adult league racing, there’s action on every level. The racing season begins on January 1 with the annual Revognah race and continues through the end of February. Visit www.mtlacrosse.com for the complete schedule.
La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway
Don’t miss the action at Wisconsin’s only NASCAR-sanctioned weekly racing asphalt track! Races every Saturday from April through September, plus street drags, Oktoberfest races, demolition derbies, monster trucks and endurance races throughout the season. Located 12 miles northeast of downtown La Crosse in West Salem, WI.
La Crosse Loggers
The Loggers, a wooden-bat, summer collegiate baseball franchise in the Northwoods League, play their home games at Copeland Park just north of downtown La Crosse. Their season runs from late May through the mid-August. Former Loggers include Cy Young winner Max Scherzer of the Detroit Tigers and all-star pitcher Chris Sale of the Chicago White Sox. The quality product the Loggers put on the field all summer long is matched only by the fun-filled action between innings, not to mention excellent concessions and great value.
Runs & Walks
More than 30 running events fill the area calendar every year, from 5k all the way up to half-marathons. There’s the annual Turkey Trot, held the Saturday before Thanksgiving, or the Ugly Sweater 5k at the Rotary Holiday Lights in December. The La Crosse YMCA organizes several events throughout the year, including a color dash and a triathlon. And Festival Foods sponsors the Grandad Half Marathon, which also includes a 5k run/walk, a time-trial run up Grandad Bluff, and the La Crosse Omnium, a two-part time-trial cycling event. Find more events in our Sports & Recreation calendar.
WIAA State Track & Field Tournament
Every year, on the first weekend of June, the top high school track and field stars from all across the state of Wisconsin converge in La Crosse for the state championships at UW-La Crosse’s Veterans Memorial Field. These two days of heart-pounding action provide a marquee event for the La Crosse community and a boon to the local economy. Visit www.wiaawi.org for a complete schedule of events.